As we mark International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), the spotlight is once again on gender diversity in the engineering profession. While new data shows that the overall proportion of women in engineering and technology roles has risen to 16.9% in 2024, a closer look reveals a more complex story.
Despite progress in attracting younger women into the industry, a sharp drop in mid-career female engineers in 2023 is still fuelling concern. Compared to 2022, there were around 22,000 more women aged 16–34 working in engineering and technology roles, but 66,000 fewer women aged 35–64. This suggests a growing trend: while more women are entering the profession, many are not staying.
Shirel Stedman, Non-Executive Director at PJA, reflected on these figures and what they say about the industry’s ability to retain female talent:
We’ve long struggled with gender diversity in engineering, and while it’s positive to see more young women entering the field, the numbers leaving in mid-career are deeply concerning.
It highlights longstanding issues that haven’t been adequately addressed. Many women are juggling family life with demanding roles, and too often they face limited opportunities for progression into leadership.
We can’t underestimate the impact of workplace culture either. If organisations don’t create an environment where women feel they can thrive long-term, they will continue to lose valuable experience and insight.
And this isn’t just about equality – it’s about performance. Companies that embrace gender diversity see better outcomes. In the built environment sector especially, diverse perspectives lead to more innovative, practical, and effective solutions.
Data from the Engineering Council shows that women engineers typically leave the profession at around age 43, while their male counterparts continue until nearly 60. This gap underlines the urgent need to design careers that support women beyond early entry.
At PJA, we’re determined to be part of the solution. When we launched our Environment service area, we knew it was important to build it on strong values and expertise. That is why we asked Shirel to work closely with our diverse leadership team, not just for her deep technical knowledge, but for her unwavering dedication to inclusion and her passion for mentoring the next generation of professionals. Through this new offering, not only are we expanding our technical capability, but we’re also strengthening a business culture where mentorship, flexible working, and targeted development opportunities support career longevity and leadership for women in engineering.
Reversing the trend of women leaving engineering will require systemic change. At PJA, we believe that starts with leadership that reflects the values we want to see across the industry.
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Shirel Stedman, Non-Executive Director
Shirel serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director and is a distinguished Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineering. She is also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management. With a career rooted in civil engineering within the infrastructure sector, Shirel is a passionate advocate for environmental enhancement, promoting Net Zero initiatives, and advancing Biodiversity Net Gain solutions.
Shirel chaired the Defra committee, the Regional Flood Coast Committee of the River Severn and Wye, and served as an elected committee member for 14 years. Additionally, she was appointed as a Board Member on the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) board.
Get in touch with Shirel: [email protected]
